- Victor Ludorum wins 2000 Guineas
- Dream And Do takes out 1000 Guineas
- Andre Fabre lands a treble
- Frederic Ross claims maiden Group 1 win
Doubts were cast on Andre Fabre’s headline act when beaten by two lengths in a ParisLongchamp trial earlier in the month.
But on the day it mattered, Victor Ludorum reigned supreme in the French 2000 Guineas, making light work of his competitors.
Mickael Barzalona rode Victor Ludorum to victory in emphatic fashion, claiming the major Group 1 in the three-year-olds fifth career start.
The pace to start was hot, the first 1,000 meters of the 1600m race was clocked in 59.04 seconds.
“This shows that he needed the race last time and he’s proven today what a great horse he is,” Barzalona said post-race.
“He didn’t have the best trip last time, it was not my idea to take back like that, but it was the way the race unfolded and once I took him out he has a way to quicken which is very impressive.
“He is very strong and very fluent in his stride and has a beautiful action.
“You can see now that he has lost none of his quality and I think he will stay further – he was just doing the minimum at the end.”
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While some pundits feared Victor Ludorum could be vulnerable, the Godolphin champion settled at the rear before flying down the outside rail to win by 1.5 lengths over contenders The Summit and Alson.
It’s now likely that Victor Ludorum will be prepared for the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m), also known as the the French Derby, to be held on Sunday, July 5.
Godolphin’s French representative Lisa-Jane Graffard said “the Prix du Jockey Club has always been Plan A.”
“We will see how he comes out of this race before confirming his next target.
“I am sure that Andre Fabre will want a chance to assess the horse over the coming days and discuss it with Sheikh Mohammed.”
In the Fillies equivalent, the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1600m) – also known as the French 1000 Guineas, eventual winner Dream and Do was declared victorious in a photo-finish over long shot Speak of the Devil.
The Fabre-trained Tropbeau could only finish fourth, beaten by 2.25 lengths.
For Frederic Rossi, it was his first Group 1 winner.
Dream and Do is likely to make the trip to Royal Ascot on June 20 to contend the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.
